What if America's next major health crisis is already here-hidden in plain sight? Across the southern United States, a silent parasite is spreading. Transmitted by the "kissing bug," Chagas disease has infected millions in Latin America for generations. Once thought of as a distant problem, it is now quietly taking root in American soil. Doctors rarely test for it. Symptoms are often mistaken for common heart disease. And for too many, the first warning sign is sudden death. In Silent Epidemic: Chagas Disease, the Kissing Bug, and America's Hidden Health Crisis, you'll discover the untold story of a neglected tropical disease that has crossed borders-and why the U.S. is dangerously unprepared.Inside, you'll learn: The kissing bug's biology and behavior-and why climate change is helping it spread across 32 states.The parasite behind the disease (Trypanosoma cruzi)-how it hides in the body and strikes years later.Why symptoms go unnoticed until it's too late, and how misdiagnosis keeps patients at risk.The shocking truth about surveillance-why CDC estimates may vastly undercount the real threat.Animal reservoirs and silent spread-from pets to wildlife, how Chagas hides in America's ecosystem.Treatment challenges-why timing, access, and awareness mean the difference between life and death.Policy crossroads-what lessons the U.S. must learn from Latin America before it's too late.How to protect your family and community-practical steps for awareness and prevention.This is not just a medical story-it is a call to action. Chagas disease represents more than a parasite. It reveals the cracks in America's healthcare system, the dangers of neglect, and the urgent need for awareness before a silent epidemic becomes an undeniable catastrophe.If you care about public health, hidden threats, or protecting your family, this book is essential reading.